Help in where to stay at WDW?

[Ilovemater]

We would like to plan a trip for 2008 with DH, DS (7) and DD (4). My parents will be coming and we will be meeting DDL and DSL and their two boys and the PGM. The in-laws will be staying at the Poly. I was considering on renting DVC pts for a 2 bedroom and a studio for my parents or staying offsite in a house. What do you think? The in-laws are taking advantage of the dining plan, but we really wouldn't utilize that it to its fullest.

I had been thinking of December, but can the kids still swim in the pools? My kids love love to swim. Would there be a better time to go? Don't want to go in the summer, but I guess it would be better when it would be warmer so the kids could swim.

This will be our second time only. Our in-laws go every year and enjoy staying at the Poly or the AK.

Thoughts please!?

 

[eeyoregon]

I am a fan of ON-property 110%!! I love the extra magic of staying at a Disney resort. And the free transportation/parking. And the extra magic early/late hours in the park are awesome in my book.

Certainly look into renting some DVC points.

We have been in mid November and it was plenty warm for swimming but I am not sure about December.

 

[Gillian]

what's a PGM?

I'd think about a budget and work from there. Also, does your family of 4 need more than one room? The 2 BRs are very expensive, even with points, especially if you include weekends.

Although I think pool homes are fantastic for a bunch of reasons, if your in laws are vets and will be staying onsite, I think the best thing is to stay near them. That way you can go to the same pool (heated) and just be closer for convenience. The transportation is nice when you have different ages in the group, unless you'll have 2 cars offsite. Are 2 rooms at the Polynesian in the budget for you and your parents?

This is all trying to be practical. There's plenty of magic wherever you stay!

 

[stacy6552]

On property, all the way. But you wont need the extra studio. When we travel with my parents, they get the master bedroom and DH, 2 DSs, and i stay in the second bedroom. No need to spend the extra coin on the studio. Splurge on something else.

 

[Ilovemater]

I think I had been gravitating towards staying at the Disney on site. I was thinking of a DVC because of the space it would allow us. We had stayed at the Pop Century and really want more room. We usually always travel by timeshares and I just thought we would do better in a timeshare. I really like the convenience of the full kitchen and the room that is available.

My in-laws had suggested the poly suite, but still not sure of the room. Plus, I just don't think we would take advantage of the dining plan like they do.

Thanks for your help!

PGM is paternal grandmother.